Gilchrist names best quicks in the world

Former Australia wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist has delivered his verdict on the best fast bowlers on the planet, suggesting Mitchell Starc, if not at the top of the pile, is among the top handful of pacemen going around.

But Gilchrist said the durability and consistency of South Africa speedster Dale Steyn means he remains the benchmark for Test bowlers.

Steyn, who has racked up 416 Test wickets in a 12-year international career, is the second-leading Test wicket-taker among current players behind England’s James Anderson and arrives on Australia’s shores this summer for the Proteas’ Test series beginning in November.

“(Starc) is definitely in that bracket. If he’s not top, then he’s definitely in the top few (fast bowlers in the world),” Gilchrist told cricket.com.au.

“Dale Steyn is just coming back from injury but he’s the class act that all fast bowlers of this generation aspire to be like.

“They aspire to have the results he’s had and the longevity he’s had. I think the greatest test of any champion is longevity.

“That’s the sign of a champion; that you’re around long enough to be classified as that.

“Dale’s done that.”

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Sandwiching Steyn on the leading Test wicket-takers’ list among current bowlers is England new-ball pair Anderson, who sits top with 463 Test scalps, and Stuart Broad, who has 358.

Gilchrist was dismissed by Anderon in his final Test against England at the SCG but played just three Tests against England’s all-time leading wicket-taker, all during the 2006-07 Ashes.

Despite suggesting Anderson hadn’t yet become the lethal bowler he is now at that stage in his career, the 44-year-old believes Anderson belongs in the top echelon of current Test seamers alongside Starc, Steyn, as well as Broad.

“Stuart’s Broad’s a guy who just continues to impress me,” Gilchrist said.

“And his bowling partner Jimmy Anderson, who our (playing) group just caught at the start of his career.

“I don’t think we held him in as high a regard as what he clearly is now; England’s highest-ever wicket-taker.”

And the ex-gloveman believes Australia’s pace-bowling stocks look as healthy as ever.

“(There are) a whole lot of names on the Australian list who are really coming through and pushing their case,” he added.